DOVER Scott and Todd Whetstone wanted to do something special for their father, so Christmas came early for the longtime Dover High School boys basketball scorekeeper.

The Whetstone sons were instrumental in building the Ron Whetstone video room, high above the Tornado gymnasium, in honor of their father.

"I bawled (when I saw it for the first time)," said the elder Whetstone, who will turn 85 Saturday. "I had no idea they were doing this. When I walked into that room and saw my family, I asked what they were doing here and they said they build it for me."

"I really appreciate it and I'm very fortunate," added Whetstone. "They're great kids."

Scott Whetstone graduated from Dover in 1973, and Todd earned his diploma in 1976.

"We've been so blessed and we wanted to give something back," said Scott on behalf of his brother. "He loves those kids, so Todd and I wanted to do something to honor him. We wanted him to enjoy it while he's still around, not that he's going anywhere."

Dover head basketball coach Bob Von Kaenel gave a tour of the room following a recent Tornado victory.

"They (Scott and Todd) contacted me last spring and said they wanted to do something in honor of their dad," recalled Von Kaenel. "They said how about a weight room or a film room? I said a film room will work."

Thus, the Ron Whetstone video room came to be.

The room contains plush leather chairs and couches, a big-screen television, a mini-refrigerator and plenty of Tornado memorabilia on the walls.

"We've been coming up here before the game and we can come up here after the game to celebrate or watch a replay," said Von Kaenel.

"We can have pizza delivered at the side door, and then I send the guys down to shoot extra after they're done eating," joked the longtime Dover coach.

Whetstone said he can't take all the credit for the way his sons developed into men.

"They had a great mother," said Whetstone of his late wife, Charlotte, who passed away in 2004. "She's the biggest reason why they turned out like they did."

Whetstone, who has been scoring boys basketball at Dover since Von Kaenel came on the scene two decades ago and baseball for more many seasons as well, was given the distinguished service award by the Eastern District Officials Association four years ago.

A former official, Whetstone also operates the clock at Dover football games and has volunteered to work at a majority of the Tornado Relays.

Whetstone just seeks one favor from the current and future Tornado roundballers.

"All that I ask is that the boys take care of it," added the longtime Dover supporter. "I know they will."